Transcript of "How to Fit Lacrosse Gear"

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How To Fit Lacrosse Products Lacrosse is one of today’s fastest growing sports. Below are fitting tips for the key lacrosse products.How to Buy Lacrosse Sticks Determining the Proper Stick The first step in purchasing a lacrosse stick is determining the position you will play. The length of your stick depends almost entirely on your position. Attackers should buy a stick that is close to the minimum length of 30 inches to allow for more control and maneuverability. Midfielders should buy a slightly longer medium-length stick to allow them to play both offense and defense. Defenders should use the longest stick they are comfortable with, usually around 60 inches, for greater reach. Goaltender sticks are generally 42 inches long. Younger players should make sure they choose a stick that fits them comfortably, regardless of position. It is more important to be able to handle the stick and ball comfortably. Womens sticks range only from 36 to 44 inches. The exact length depends on the position--longer (43-44 inches) for defenders, shorter (36 inches) for attackers. Most players will want to have at least 2 sticks in case one breaks during play.Pocket TypesLacrosse sticks come with either a traditional woven pocket for more experienced players or a mesh pocket for novices.They also can be bought strung or unstrung. Traditional pockets • These consist of nylon laces woven around 4 adjustable strips of leather. • The leather strips can be adjusted to fit any type of shot. They do need to be replaced after repeated use. • A stiffer pocket is more accurate but gives less control while running and moving. Mesh pockets • They are made of nylon webbing woven into the side of the pocket and require little or no adjustment. • Mesh pockets are looser and give less accuracy on passes and shots, but make it easier to control the ball when running. • These require less maintenance than traditional pockets. • The mesh netting does not control or absorb the ball as well as leather netting. • Goalkeepers tend to prefer mesh netting because it reduces rebounds. Pocket depth • Pocket depth is mostly a matter of preference and playing style. • Generally, a deeper pocket provides more feel and ball control, while a shallower pocket gives you a quicker release but sacrifices ball control. • Ball-control players who do a lot of short passing should use a fairly deep pocket. • Fast-break players who tend to pass the ball over longer areas should use a shallower pocket. • Overhand shooters should have an average depth pocket (a ball width or less). • Sidearm and underhand shooters should have depths of a ball or more. Shooting strings • Shooting strings, positioned horizontally near the top of the sticks head, affect the balls balance and direction. • Overhand passers usually put in 3 or 4 shooting strings to make a smooth path for the ball to run out of the pocket. Heavy skate laces are best used for this. • The shooting strings determine whether your shot will have "whip”, which occurs when the ball is released smoothly and gradually.. Experienced players prefer a whippy release.

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How to Buy Lacrosse HelmetYou wear a helmet to protect your head from injury, but you wont get the maximum protection unless it is properlysized with a snug, aligned fit. The information below is designed to guide you in achieving a safe, secure helmet fit.Helmets are required equipment for all lacrosse players. Determining Your Helmet Size Helmets come in a variety of sizes and are usually measured in inches. To ensure a players safety, it is important that his/her helmet fit properly. The helmet should sit squarely on the head with the front of the helmet low on the brow to protect the forehead. The padding should exert firm, uniform pressure all around the head so that the skin on the forehead moves as the helmet is rotated from left to right and from front to back. There is no slack when the chin-strap is fastened. Determine Your Helmet Size - Adult Size S M L One Size Fits All Inches 20-21.75 22-22.75 23.25-24 20.75-24 Centimeters 51-55 56-58 59-62 54-61 Determine Your Helmet Size - Youth Size Toddler S/M M/L One Size Fits All Inches 18.5-20.5 20.5-22.5 22.5-23.75 19.5-22.5 Centimeters 47-52 52-57 57-60 50-57How to Buy Lacrosse Protective EquipmentThere are a number of pads that need to be worn during a lacrosse game. You wear these pads to protect your bodyfrom injury, but you wont get the maximum protection unless they are properly sized with a snug, aligned fit. Theinformation below is designed to guide you in achieving a safe, secure fit. Protective equipment is required equipmentfor all lacrosse players. Shoulder Pads Shoulder pads protect the shoulders as well as the upper part of the chest. Most pads are sized according to body type. To measure, wrap a tape measure around your chest just below your armpits. Different manufacturers use different sizing charts, but the chart below provides a general guide. Rib pads These protect the vulnerable rib area. Some versions wrap around to protect the lower back and kidney area as well. Determining Your Shoulder Pad And Rib Size Size Inches cm Senior Small 28-30 71-76 Senior Medium 32-34 81.5-86.5 Senior Large 36-38 91.5-96.5 Senior X-Large 40-42 101.5-107 Junior Small 22-24 56-61 Junior Medium 24-28 61-71 Junior Large 28-30 71-76

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GlovesLacrosse gloves have heavy padding on the tops of the fingers and around the wrist to protectagainst being hit by a stick.Most manufacturers use different sizing levels for their gloves - usually small, medium and large - butin general they range from youth sizes of about nine inches up to full adult sizes of 16 inches.Use a tape measure to measure the distance from where your elbow pads will end to the tip of yourfingers. This number equals your glove size.It is okay for gloves to be a little large, as long as the padding covers all areas of the hand andwrist.Different manufacturers use different sizing methods, but the chart below is a good indicator of theglove size you should buy based on the above measurement. Determining Your Glove Size Size Inches cm Small 9 23 Small 10 25.5 Medium 11 28 Medium 12 30.5 Medium 13 33 Large 14 35.5 Large 15 38 X-Large 16 40.5 X-Large 17 43 Elbow padsElbow pads are required equipment in most leagues.They cover the elbow as well as the upper arm and forearm.Most elbow pads are adjustable and are secured with hook-and-loop straps, so sizing is general interms of body size.There are also a varying numbers of straps available on different pads to help with adjustments.You may want to add a forearm slash pad for further protection in a sensitive, highly vulnerablearea.Measure the distance between the edge of your shoulder pads and the cuff of your lacrosse glove.The top of the elbow pad should leave no exposed skin between the shoulder pad and the glove.Different manufacturers use different sizing methods, but the chart below is a good indicator of theelbow pad size you should buy based on the above measurement. Determining Your Elbow Pad Size Size Inches Youth Small 7.5 Youth Medium 8.5 Youth Large 9.5 Junior Small 10.5 Junior Medium 11.5 Junior Large 12.5 Senior Small 13.5 Senior Medium 14.5 Senior Large 15.5 and above